Exploring the Social Characteristics of Adaptive Capacity for Wildfire: Insights from Flathead County, Montana

The increasing threat caused by wildfire in the United States has spurred the development of a number of policies and programs that encourage communities to reduce their risk by becoming "fire adapted." Yet despite these goals, there is little understanding of the characteristics that are crucial in the development of fire adapted communities. This research seeks to uncover specific aspects of local social context that lead to adaptive capacity for wildfire among communities in Flathead County, MT, by consulting local fire professionals, community representatives and emergency managers using focus groups and interviews. Results suggest that adaptive capacity is highly variable across the county and influenced by aspects such as community identity, strong communication networks and the local wood products industry. We contend that a better understanding of adaptive capacity to wildfire requires systematic documentation of how specific characteristics of local people interact to influence their ability to deal with change.